Shloka 37
Adhyāya 71: Kaca and the Saṃjīvanī-vidyā
Devayānī–Śukra Episode
तादृशं तपसा युक्त प्रदीप्तमिव पावकम् । कथमस्मद्विधा नारी जितेन्द्रियमभिस्पृशेत्,ऐसे प्रज्वलित अग्निके समान तेजस्वी, तपस्वी और जितेन्द्रिय महात्माका मुझ-जैसी नारी कैसे स्पर्श कर सकती है?
tādṛśaṃ tapasā yuktaṃ pradīptam iva pāvakam | katham asmadvidhā nārī jitendriyam abhispr̥śet ||
Ngài rực cháy như lửa, được tôi luyện bởi khổ hạnh và đã chế ngự các căn—một người nữ như ta làm sao dám chạm đến hay đến gần bậc tự chế như thế?
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the simile of blazing fire to express reverence for ascetic power and self-mastery, implying an ethical boundary: one should approach the self-controlled and spiritually radiant with restraint, humility, and respect.
Kaṇva speaks in awe of a great ascetic’s tapas and sense-control, questioning how a woman like herself could even touch or approach such a person, emphasizing the perceived sanctity and formidable purity of the ascetic.